‘Armored Closet’ Offers Tornado Safety Inside Your Home

FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) – Depending on the home, it can be a challenge to find a “safe-spot” during a tornado warning in North Texas. But an inventor in North Texas thinks he has developed an idea to help relieve some anxiety and save lives.

Thomas Edwards, who recently moved to Forth Worth from Boston, had never experienced a Texas Spring or its tornadoes. “I was very anxious about what was going on. And I kept looking around saying, ‘if one comes, where do we go?’ ” questioned Edwards.

He now knows exactly where he would head — into the doors that were once his closet. Custom-fitted and covert, he is one of the more than 600 people who have just bought into the “Armored Closet.”

“We just open it up and we’re ready to use it whatever it is. It feels much safer,” said Edwards.

The creator, David Magiera of Kennedale, claims his storm shelters are strong enough to handle a .45 caliber bullet and can withstand the strength of a F-5 tornado. “You have car insurance, you have home owners insurance. Well you’ve got tornado insurance,” said Magiera.

Magiera started making the Armored Closets after he noticed most storm shelters were built outside of the home and looked hideous. “It seems counterproductive to run into the hail and the tornado weather to get to your shelter,” said Magiera.

Prices for an Armored Closet start at just under $4,000. Edwards said the next time he hears the warning sirens during a storm, he will know it was worth every penny. “It is a lot of money that we will hopefully never use,” said Edwards. “But it does provide that security.”